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Maryland Public Television (MPT) Focuses on Garrett College Adventure Sports Program

Maryland Public Television (MPT) camera and crew were on site in Garrett County, videotaping activities involving the Garrett College Adventuresports Institute in an effort to produce a segment for their ‘Outdoors Maryland’ series, focusing on adventure sports and the College’s efforts to train and credential a workforce in support of the adventure recreation industry. The segment will be aired sometime this fall. An exact date has yet to be determined.

Among the sessions being taped included the institute’s Transition Age Youth (TAY) program working with area middle and high school youth in rock climbing, mountain biking, and trail hiking at Fork Run Recreation Area; Garrett College students being trained in team building and group leadership dynamics on the college’s challenge course; and whitewater kayak learners being taught basic kayaking skills on the currents of the Adventure Sports Center International’s whitewater course.

Read More Here:  http://deepcreektimes.com/news.asp

Deep Creek 2014: Spectators flock to Western Maryland for Olympic atmosphere

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Ryan jumps around on the concrete lining the Adventure Sports Center International course in an U.S. Soccer jersey and matching bandanna and American flag face paint. He watched all of this summer’s World Cup and plays soccer, but this is his first time watching slalom canoe or kayak.

When asked which he enjoys more, international soccer or international kayaking, the 7-year-old finally stops moving and takes a few seconds to answer. “Kayaking,” he decides, and goes back to playing on the grass and the tiered seating area.

His mom, Cathy Witt, is impressed that a day at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships near Deep Creek Lake had such a quick impact on him. Witt saw a posting on Facebook about a world championship just 45 miles from their home in Cumberland, Md., and figured it was worth checking out.

“I figured it’s a once in a lifetime thing, being here and watching it,” she said. “It has an Olympic-feel, and the kids are really into the Olympics so for them to be here and in this type of atmosphere.”

Read More Here:  http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/09/deep_creek_2014_spectators_flo.html

 

Deep Creek 2014

History will be made here @ Deep Creek Lake!

ww_slalom-14

Here we are now just 18 days shy of this epic event and the excitement in Deep Creek is definitely evident. The fact that we get to share our beloved region with so many guests from all around the world is quite a privilege. We are excited to encourage the Team USA members as they all strive to do their best and to accomplish their goals.

The Countdown is On! Don’t miss out on this memorable event!

Find Out More About this Event at: https://www.deepcreek2014.com/

 

New Listing – 71 Lower Camp Rd McHenry-GA8357685-$599,900-ski-in-ski-out-chalet-asci

5BR, 4BA chalet in slopefront community of North Camp, nestled amongst large boulders, tall trees, and ferns galore. Year round outdoor activities are just around the corner – Wisp Ski/Golf Resort and ASCI Whitewater complex. Includes access to an exclusive 2 acre lakeside park. Features hot tub, 2 fireplaces, jetted tub, large deck, slope views. Established vacation rental ‘Rocky Adventures’. Much more here.
This property is for rent! More details here.
Listing Information
Property Type: Vacation Rental
5 4 Full
17,486 Sq. Ft. 2,856 (approx) 2007
3
NORTH CAMP SUBDIVISION
Public
Public Sewer
Room Information
Bathrooms
4
Liv-Din Combo
Interior Features
 Propane, Other, Forced Air, Other
Full, Fully Finished, Improved, Other, Heated, Walkout Level
 2
 None, Other
Exterior / Lot Features
 Drvwy/Off Str
Wood, Stone, Cedar
None
Shows Well
 Backs to Trees, Ski in/Ski out, Private, Trees/Wooded, Landscaping
Community Features
Gated Community

Garrett officials to address Adventure Sports Center takeover

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — Operations and management of the Adventure Sports Center International will be addressed by the Garrett County Board of Commissioners next week when a press conference is held Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the commission’s public meeting room.

The commissioners and Wendy Yoder, director of the county’s department of financial services, and Scott Weeks, assistant director, held a discussion about ASCI on Monday and then went into executive session to discuss economic development and financial and personnel matters pertaining to the sports center.

The commissioners previously discussed ASCI’s $3 million debt obligation at a February meeting. In January, the sports center’s board of directors proposed to convey all of the center’s facilities, assets and operations to the county. The offer was contingent upon the county assuming ASCI’s liabilities, according to a previous statement released by the commissioners.

During the February meeting, the commissioners made it clear that they would not consider the conveyance if the debt obligations remain.

Also at Monday’s administrative meeting, the commissioners:

• Approved an appropriation of $500 to the town of Kitzmiller for the 2012 Annual Homecoming Festival.

• Discussed the funding of an events coordinator. The commissioners had previously approved in August 2011 the funding of $20,000 to serve as a cost share with the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioners and members of the chamber agreed to place the employment of an independent contractor on hold with the final decision to be made as part of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

• Reappointed Donald Stemple to the Garrett County Civil Service Commission.

During the public meeting, the commissioners:

• Approved a bid award to Winters General Contractor Inc. for $46,950 for an airport parking area expansion.

• Provided an update on legislative matters relative to the 2012 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

• Heard an update from Richard MacLennan, president of Garrett College, on the Garrett County Scholarship Program.

• Executed a proclamation celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouts in the United States.

• Recognized Austin Shaffer of Southern Garrett High School as the 2012 State Wrestling Champion.

The next public meeting will be held April 3 at 9 a.m.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 – toll free

On eliminating ASCI’s $3M debt: Exec. speaks out

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

MCHENRY — Despite dealing with multiple challenges like construction cost overruns, a faltering economy and the Wisp Resort filing for bankruptcy in October, the Adventure Sports Center International remains a focal point in promoting tourism, according to Matt Taylor, executive director of ASCI.

Garrett County commissioners made a public statement Tuesday that they met in executive session to discuss legal, financial and personnel implications of the $3 million debt obligations ASCI incurred because of unanticipated construction costs.

“ASCI has become the nexus it was intended to be, despite the aforementioned challenges,” said Taylor in an email to the Times-News. “The bottom line is that the facility was never intended to operate with debt, and Tuesday’s statements by the commissioners mark an important step in a long process to restructure and eliminate that debt so that ASCI can continue its core missions of promoting adventure tourism and healthy, active outdoor lifestyles.”

The debt was incurred during cost overruns in construction of the actual whitewater course and pond, according to Taylor. ASCI broke ground on the whitewater facility in 2004 and opened in the spring of 2007.

“The ASCI whitewater course is a one-of-a-kind facility and a combination of unique building challenges and high cost of materials. Most of the facility was built in the years following Hurricane Katrina, which greatly inflated certain material and transportation costs (that) led to the overruns,” said Taylor.

ASCI is a nonprofit entity and not under the authority of the board of county commissioners, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator. The financial institutions involved with the debt collection are Susquehanna Bank and First United Bank & Trust.

Adventure Sports Chairman Duane Yoder said the group may consider transferring ownership to Garrett County or Garrett College.

The venture has received $4.1 million from the state, $2.9 million in federal funds, $1.3 million from Garrett County and $2 million from the sales of land donated by DC Development LLC, owner of the Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort.

“ASCI has carried this debt from its opening in 2007 and we have operated for five successful seasons and intend to open in 2012 for our best season yet,” said Taylor.

The debt will not affect operations or the 2014 World Championship Canoe and Kayak Slalom Races, according to Taylor.

“The world championship is a real successful event for us. All along it has been part of our business plan to get corporate sponsors for this event, and this debt makes it hard to have corporate sponsors,” said Taylor.

“We have been in negotiation with the banks for years, and ASCI’s default is part of a structured process to eliminate the debt and allow us to focus on preparation and promotion for Deep Creek 2014. ASCI continues to work with state, local and banking leaders to find a long-term solution.”

In addition to successfully guiding more than 55,000 people down the whitewater course, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors, and hosting eight national and international competitions, ASCI has also developed widely recognized environmental education programs with Garrett County public schools, according to Taylor.

The commissioners will compile their positions and comments on this situation and plan to provide a more detailed review during their Feb. 7 public session, according to Pagenhardt.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Still water becomes Class IV rapids

Sunday, August 21, 2011

By Craig Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Even in a sport like kayaking, where every course has its own distinct features and challenges, the ASCI complex in Deep Creek Lake, Md., is considered truly unique among the greater kayaking community.

Situated in mountainous western Maryland, the whitewater course at ASCI maintains the distinction of being the world’s only mountaintop whitewater course.

“There is nothing in the United States or even the world that is like this,” said ASCI business manager Sandy Bello.

ASCI, a not-for-profit organization formed to promote adventure tourism and healthy outdoor lifestyles, opened the whitewater course in 2007 and has taken over 45,000 people rafting and kayaking in that time.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11233/1168601-140.stm#ixzz1VmXt74PM

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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First Whitewater State Tourney To Be Held At ASCI


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Aug. 4, 2011

Competitors from around the region will compete in the first ever Maryland Canoe and Kayak State Championships at the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI), home to the world’s only mountaintop whitewater course, on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The championship is part of the 2011 Maryland Canoe and Kayak Series produced by the Bethesda Center of Excellence. BCE is marketed as the nation’s premier slalom canoe/kayak training center and is home to two-time Olympic silver medalist Dana Chladek. Chladek is the BCE head coach and will field a team of “young up and coming athletes” at the event.

The state championships will be a first glimpse of whitewater competition at ASCI since it was awarded the International Canoe Federation’s 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships. ASCI won out over bids from Austria and Poland at the April meeting of the ICF held in Paris.

“Deep Creek 2014,” the official title of the ICF 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships, is scheduled for September 17 through 21. The event will also mark the 25th anniversary of the highly successful 1989 Canoe Slalom World Championships held on the Savage River in Garrett County.

Canoe slalom refers to ‘decked’ or ‘covered’ whitewater boats which race a series of gates strategically placed over rapids. The four official Olympic disciplines are: single men and women’s kayak (where athletes sit in the boat and use a double bladed paddle) and single and double canoe (where athletes kneel in the boat and use a single bladed paddle).

Maryland has historically fielded the nation’s most successful slalom athletes, including world champions Jon Lugbill, Davey Hearn, Fritz and Lecky Haller, Cathy Hearn, Dana Chladek and Olympic gold medalist Joe Jacobi. Bill Endicott, who is heralded as the most successful canoe coach in U.S. history, is also based in Maryland. The Maryland State Championships will be the first and only state-level whitewater competition in the country.

The championships will take place on the upper section of the ASCI whitewater course. Each run will last around 100 seconds, and athletes will be required to navigate 20 gates while covering 300 meters of rapids.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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>ASCI Receives $30K Grant For Adventure Education

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Jun. 9, 2011

The Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) was recently awarded a grant of $30,000 from the Naylor Foundation to support its adventure and environmental education programs with Garrett County public schools. The grant will supplement program and administration costs, and furthers a growing effort to reconnect local children with the outdoors.

Through one of these programs, Southern Middle School recently completed several rafting trips on the ASCI mountaintop whitewater course, which is located at the top of Wisp Resort. Some 160 sixth graders, teachers, and parents participated. For many of the students it was an introductory experience with whitewater rafting. Assisted by a guide, students navigated sections of the course with names like the “Dark Destroyer” and “Pinball Alley,” where they learned to paddle through drops and jump the raft off rocks.

While rafting, students also had the opportunity to meet with U.S. veterans who were visiting ASCI as part of the All-American Whitewater Festival. The veterans, who are members of Team River Runner, a Wounded Warrior organization, spoke to the middle school students about the lifelong thrill and therapeutic power associated with whitewater.

Through another of the ASCI sponsored programs, Southern Middle School seventh graders climbed and rappelled the rocks at the Fork Run Recreation Area. A 550-acre preserve, Fork Run is managed by ASCI and open to the general public. During their adventure, students ascended and descended the same cliffs that world famous climbers Lynn Hill, Will Gadd, and Hans Florine have recently visited.

At the event, students were instructed on how to “boulder” while climbing, and also on walking a “slackline,” which is a modified tightrope set very low to the ground.

Also through ASCI, local eighth graders undertook adventures in various locations. These consisted of rafting, biking, and hiking excursions at Ohiopyle State Park and kayaking and hiking trips in the Oakland area.

The eighth grade program is called “Discovery,” a spokesperson stated, because students are allowed to choose their own adventure and “discover for themselves the challenge and thrill of a particular adventure sport.”

After the Northern Middle School sixth grade group rafts at the mountaintop whitewater course this month, the total number of participants from Garrett County’s middle schools will total over 900 students. The trip will conclude the school’s first year in an ASCI program.

Read more here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

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